Ford Spends $43 Million on New Test Track

Ford Renovates Dearborn Testing Facility

The Big Three arent doing all that well. Losing ground to the other Big Three (Toyota, Honda and Nissan - not to mention Hyundai and Kia), theyre all trying to find their own ways to rebuild sales. Most have chosen to go with more extensive component sharing to decrease costs (Ford Five Hundred and Freestyle, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger or Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, Pontiac GTO and a potential Chevy Camaro, etc etc) and all three have adopted huge incentive programs to try and entice new buyers; eventually culminating in the infamous employee

The Shelby GT500 was tested in the Dearborn facility, and an autocross course was set up for journalists on the 43 acre "dry" (in dry weather) skidpad.? (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

pricing programs that will, according to analysts, either make or break Chrysler Group, GM and Ford. However, Fords trying something different: building better cars.

But thats a subjective statement, right? After all, how does one quantify "better?" Well, if your definition involves excessive testing and subsequent

Journalists also tested Fords AWD Fusion on the 12 acre wet skidpad; although heavy rains made the wet skidpads sprinkler system redundant. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

reengineering, well then Ford is building better cars.

Originally serving as the U.S. first modern airport, featuring two (count em) grass runaways fitted with floodlights for night landings, the facility was renovated in 1938 with test tracks built around the airport runways, and Fords Dearborn Proving Ground was officially born. Finally, in 1947, the Ford Air Transportation Service relocated, and the proving ground became strictly an automotive testing facility. Over the years the

Carrol Shelby was on hand alongside Fords President of the Americas Mark Fields to introduce the world to the new Dearborn Development Center. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Dearborn facility gave birth to such icons as the 49 Ford and the 64.5 Mustang.

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